Son of Pastor Rick Warren Commits Suicide

Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Elton John AIDS Foundation(LAKE FOREST, Calif.) -- Matthew Warren, the son of Saddleback Church founder and author Pastor Rick Warren, took his own life on Saturday.

The 27-year-old had struggled with mental illness, depression, and suicidal thoughts for most of his life, according to a statement Rick Warren sent out to congregants.

The statement said that the suicide followed what Warren described as a “fun evening” with him and wife Kay Warren, Matthew Warren took his life “in a momentary wave of despair.”

“Kay and I’ve been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss,” Warren wrote to his congregation. “Today we need you prayers for us.”